Lark Youth Championships 2024 at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Samuel Bailey and Mia Hateley, Youth Champions - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green © Jonny Coate

Ten boats arrived for the 2024 Lark Class Youth Championships at Barnt Green Sailing Club in the Midlands. Competitors travelled far and wide to attend this years event with entries from as far as Waldringfield and Weymouth.

The lineup was strong with defending Youth Champion Samuel Bailey and new crew for 2024, Mia Hately, looking to defend their title against fellow competitors including Cadet National Champion Hannah Carruthers, top ten Feva nationals sailor and 420 helm Jack Hodgkins, and many Lark ex-national champion winning crews! A strong lineup for 2024!

With the wind forecast to be light for the day, the inland waters of Barnt Green added for a challenging time on the water for our sailors with big shifts, tight racing and plenty of sun!

Race 3 Start - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Jonny Coate

Race 1 saw the fleet cleanly off the start where Samuel Bailey & Mia Hateley were quick to take a healthy lead which was sustained throughout the race to the finish. Behind, place changes were regular with George Cox & Hannah Carruthers battling with Jack Hodgkins & Ollie Goodhead and Jai Sanehi & Nigel Hufton for the top spots. Cox & Carruthers remained in second for most of the race but it was Hodgkins & Goodhead who managed to get the better of the upwind shifts and climb into 2nd place with Cox & Carruthers in 3rd, Sanehi & Hufton in fourth.

Race 2 saw a similar picture with Bailey & Hateley taking an early lead as the pairing demonstrated their nine years' experience of Lark sailing on inland shifty waters but were eagerly chased down by Hodkins & Goodhead after the wind filled in from behind on the run. Within striking distance, Hodkins & Goodhead were able to pick up an unforeseen left-hand shift by Bailey & Hateley and take the lead into the final few legs. A subsequent downwind battle ensued allowing Bailey & Hateley to reclaim 1st position which was sustained to the finish with Hodkins & Goodhead in second, Cox & Carruthers in third, Sanehi & Hufton in fourth.

Race 3 left all to play for with the remaining podium positions!

Jai Sanehi and Nigel Hufton, and Jack Hodgkins and Ollie Goodhead - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Jonny Coate

The Lark is often compared to having distinct similarities to the Americas Cup AC45s and as such a reaching start to the first mark was fitting to begin the final race of the day! It was Cox and Carruthers who took the early lead to the 'windward' mark with Sanehi & Hufton in second and team 'Oll-ee' (That's Olly with a 'Y' and Oli with an 'I') arriving third to the mark. Bailey & Hateley and Hodkins & Goodhead being lost in the pack, putting them in danger of the top spot!

However, the sifts were on their side with both teams manging to snake their way back up to fight with Sanehi & Hufton and Cox & Carruthers. Bailey & Hateley were successful and climbed back into first position to take their third bullet of the day. Hodgkins & Goodhead managed to knock Cox & Carruthers into fourth position but were unable to match the speed of Sanehi & Hufton who claimed second.

Overall, taking three bullets, Samuel Bailey & Mia Hateley from South Staffordshire Sailing Club managed to defend their title to be awarded the 2024 Lark Class Youth Champions.

Jack Hodkins & Ollie Goodhead also from South Staffordshire Sailing Club achieved second place overall.

George Cox and Hannah Carruthers, 4th overall - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Jonny Coate

By countback on the final race, Jai Sanehi & Nigel Hufton from Barnt Green/ Frensham SC claimed third over George Cox and Hannah Carruthers from Brightlingsea SC who finished on equal points in fourth place.

Special mention to the four boats who travelled up from Weymouth Sailing Club to race in this years' Championships. The inland shifty waters of Barnt Green proved to be a real challenge when compared the picturesque conditions of Weymouth Bay! We look forward to seeing you at future sailing events with us!

Big thank you to all involved at Barnt Green Sailing Club and The Lark Class for organising the event, including a big thank you to this years' event sponsor, Craftinsure.

Photos Here: photos.app.goo.gl/feyogF8EWvmG6SzU6

Next event: Waldringfield Cartoon, September 7th & 8th

Jack Hodgkins and Ollie Goodhead, 2nd overall - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Jonny Coate

Overall Results:

Olly Hateley and Oli Rogers, 5th overall - Lark Youth Championships at Barnt Green - photo © Jonny Coate